Every Justin Bieber Guest Verse And Feature Ranked From Horrific To Sublime
From 'Where Are Ü Now' to 'Despacito', there's a reason why Justin Bieber is everyone's go-to feature artist.
Nearly every time Justin Bieber releases music, he hits a home run. Which is partly what made his lacklustre new album Changes such a massive disappointment.
The inoffensive Drake-lite beats weren’t exactly terrible, but his 17-track ode to Hailey Bieber wasn’t necessarily worth the gruelling five-year-long wait either.
Despite Changes being a flop, it’s hard to deny that Bieber does have an impeccable record with his guest appearances. From the chart-topping success of ‘Despacito’ to the cult favourite ‘Maria I’m Drunk,’ it’s hard to ignore his guest feature prowess.
He didn’t always dabble in this world. After a few years in which he decidedly went off the rails — he got a DUI, peed in a mop bucket, tried to fight the paparazzi, and abandoned his illegal pet monkey in Germany — he was rescued and revitalised by a pair of unlikely saviours. Diplo and Skrillex’s collaborative project, Jack Ü, would almost have been unmemorable if it weren’t for their mega dance hit, ‘Where Are Ü Now.’
With Bieber on the hook, he posed a question to his fans: “Where are you now that I need you?” The collective response was heard all across the world; this was the beginning of a new era of Bieber.
Following the release of his acclaimed record Purpose, Bieber leaned into his penchant for guest features. From glossy pop hits with Post Malone and Billie Eilish to carrying ensemble productions with DJ Khaled, Bieber excels when bolstered by his industry friends, and his sing-song rap flow and syrupy hooks make him one of music’s best and most reliable feature stars.
To that end, we decided it was time to rank every Justin Bieber guest feature. Dive in.
#32. Lil Dicky — ‘Earth’ (2019)
Just because I hate this song doesn’t mean I hate the planet. And as far as guest features go, the last thing I ever wanted to hear was Bieber sing, “Hi, I’m a baboon. I’m like a man, just less advanced and my anus is huge.” Next!
#31. Will.I.Am — ‘#thatpower’ (feat. Justin Bieber) (2013)
Will.I.Am’s fourth studio album, #willpower was a disconcerting ode to technology and overtreated autotune. While it’s hard to fault a Bieber hook, any redeeming moments of ‘#thatpower’ were marred by Will.I.Am’s digital fetishism.
#30. Asher Roth — ‘Actin Up’ (feat. Rye Rye, Chris Brown and Justin Bieber) (2013)
If the turbulent, mid-aughts, Fruity Loops beat isn’t enough to turn you off then Bieber’s uninspired rap verse just might. “Mama told me do the dishes, but I’m out here catching fishes,” sounds like an 8 Mile parody we’d rather never hear again.
#29. Khalil — ‘Future’ (feat. Kehlani and Justin Bieber) (2015)
In the lead up to the release of his anticipated single, ‘What Do You Mean’ Bieber decided to give us a collaboration no one asked for. Khalil sets up what should have been a dreamy duet between Kehlani and the then-renewed star, but Bieber is listless, flat, and uninterested.
#28. Artists for Haiti — ‘We Are The World 25’ (2010)
Originally written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson, ‘We Are The World’ captured a sombre and memorable moment in pop culture history that saw the biggest stars come together to fight one common cause. The lesson here is, sometimes remakes aren’t a good idea.
#27. Chris Brown — ‘Don’t Check On Me’ (feat. Justin Bieber) (2019)
Chris Brown and Justin both have an enviable vocal range, making them masters of the hook. But together they fail to create something substantial and the song fizzles before it ever gets anywhere. ‘Don’t Check On Me’ plays to their checkered pasts, making for a song we’d rather never hear again.
#26. Young Artists For Haiti — ‘Wavin’ Flag’ (2010)
A Canadian initiative brought together the country’s biggest stars to create an anthem in response to the devastating events in Haiti during 2010.
A remake of Somali artist K’Naan’s inspirational anthem ‘Wavin’ Flag’ saw Avril Lavigne, Nelly Furtado, and Justin Bieber all jump in the studio to bring awareness to the disaster. Even a young Drake drops by with a conscious verse, but it’s all a bit strained and weird.
#25. DJ Tay James — ‘Intro’ (feat. Justin Bieber) (2013)
Raise your hand if you feel personally victimised by Bieber declaring: ‘I’m a young Tunechi.’
#24. Khalil — ‘Playtime’ (feat. Justin Bieber) (2014)
It’s hard to describe this one as anything but formulaic, unmemorable, and a waste of a Bieber feature.
#23. Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber — ‘10,000 Hours’ (2019)
It’s hard to believe that this is Bieber’s first foray into country music, but his guest feature on Dan + Shay’s ‘10,000’ took him straight to the top of the country charts.
The upbeat, acoustic bop was described by Bieber himself as “wedding music” and he isn’t wrong. It’s inoffensive, and filled with saccharine lyrics, but isn’t in the least bit memorable.
#22. Far East Movement — ‘Live My Life’ (feat. Justin Bieber) (2012)
If you’re a fan of ‘Like A G6’ then this is for you. The beat might be a little cheesier and the message a little less convincing but the song is just as fun as Far East Movement’s biggest hit.
#21. David Guetta — ‘2U’ (feat. Justin Bieber) (2018)
The French producer’s penchant for superstar feature guests makes Bieber’s appearance a no-brainer. And together they delivered a great EDM banger.
Lyrics like “when it comes to you there’s no crime, let’s take both of our souls and intertwine,” are garish but who cares when you’re having this much fun?
#20. Poo Bear — ‘Hard To Face Reality’ (feat. Jay Electronica and Justin Bieber) (2018)
After writing Bieber’s verse for his remix of ‘Despacito,’ longtime collaborator Poo Bear recruited the star for his own single. Together with a rare verse from Jay Electronica, Bieber delivers an adequate, but verging on indifferent, chorus.
#19. Khalil — ‘Time for Bed’ (feat. Justin Bieber) (2014)
‘Time For Bed’ leaked in the lead-up of Khalil’s upcoming project, Long Way From 916. The DJ Mustard-produced, R&B slow jam signalled Bieber’s arrival as a red-blooded teenager.
Sadly for Khalil, his project was canned and this song is a reminder of what never was.
#18. Soulja Boy — ‘Rich Girl’ (feat. Justin Bieber) (2010)
Innocent, pre-tween Bieber holds a special place in the heart of his fans, which is what makes his appearance on ‘Rich Girl’ a precious relic.
#17. Sean Kingston — ‘Won’t Stop’ (feat. Justin Bieber) (2011)
Sean Kingston’s ‘Won’t Stop’ features one of Bieber’s earliest rap verses. The climactic guitars and sprawling drums lend itself more to a movie trailer than the club. But hearing a young Bieber spitting bars makes for a fun and frivolous listen.
#16. Carly Rae Jepson — ‘Beautiful’ (feat. Justin Bieber) (2012)
‘Beautiful’ arrived as Carly Rae Jepson struggled to shed her reputation as a one-hit-wonder. Following the success of ‘Call Me Maybe,’ Jepson became the first singer to sign a deal with Bieber’s Schoolboy Records imprint.
The unlikely pairing also gave us this Plain White T’s reminiscent duet, and we’re not mad about it.
#15. Chris Brown — ‘Ladies Love Me’ (feat. Justin Bieber) (2011)
Produced by David Banner, ‘Ladies Love Me’ was the beginning of Chris Brown and Bieber’s musical bond. The beat does most of the work but when Bieber comes in with a braggadocious flow mimicking Lil Wayne, it’s a whole lot of fun.
#14. Bloodpop and Justin Bieber — ‘Friends’ (2017)
The modulating baseline and slick production lend itself perfectly to a Bieber-bop. Bring back EDM!
#13. Major Lazer — ‘Cold Water’ (feat. Justin Bieber & Mø) (2016)
Following the success of ‘Where Are Ü Now,’ Diplo recruited Bieber again on ‘Cold Water’: a dizzying amalgam of ‘Lean On’ and ‘Where Are Ü Now.’
Mø’s glittery vocals together with Bieber’s frothy voice takes the tropical beat and heavy synths to another level.
#12. DJ Snake — ‘Let Me Love You’ (feat. Justin Bieber) (2016)
French producer, DJ Snake trades in catchy earworms. And his Bieber collaboration is no exception. From atmospheric EDM and lovelorn lyrics to Bieber’s gentle falsetto, ‘Let Me Love You’ is a masterclass in pop.
#11. Gucci Mane — ‘Love Thru The Computer’ (feat. Justin Bieber) (2019)
Bieber’s work in 2019 was imbued with a renewed sense of joy. While Gucci Mane copped a bit of flak for the pitched-up sample of Zapp & Roger’s ‘Computer Love,’ there is no doubt that ‘Love Thru The Computer’ is as good as it is cheesy.
The injection of Bieber’s autotuned hook is an unexpected twist that takes this corny hip-hop track and makes it a triumphant pop hit.
#10. Sage the Gemini — ‘Gas Pedal’ (Remix) (feat. Justin Bieber and Iamsu) (2014)
Hearing a 20-year-old Bieber rap on a track designed for twerking might be the strangest thing you’ve ever heard. Bad boy Bieber was in full force here and even though his singing is a lot better than his attempt at rapping this track deserves its position in the top 10.
#9. Trey Songz — ‘Foreign’ (Remix) (feat. Justin Bieber) (2014)
Both the original and remix of this Trey Songz track are available on his sixth studio album, Trigga Reloaded, but the collaboration with Bieber comes out on top.
It’s brash, a little questionable, and extremely thirsty but you get an entire minute-and-a-half of our Canadian king rapping with his chest.
#8. Chance The Rapper — ‘Juke Jam’ (feat. Justin Bieber and Towkio (2016)
The most restrained moment of Coloring Book is ‘Juke Jam’; a melancholy slow-burning track that revels in 90s nostalgia. “We’ve got so much history baby,” Bieber coos longingly.
Maybe it’s the soft crackle in his voice, but it’s hard to imagine a better accompaniment to this wistful beat.
#7. Post Malone — ‘Deja Vu’ (feat. Justin Bieber) (2016)
Remember when Bieber and Post Malone became best friends? ‘Deja Vu’ is a sultry interpretation of Drake’s ‘Hotline Bling’, tempered by Bieber’s buttery vocals.
#6. Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber — ‘I Don’t Care’ (2019)
Do you remember where you were when you found out that Ed Sheeran wrote ‘Love Yourself?’ No one could have guessed the squeaky-clean English singer could have written the saltiest song of the decade, but it remains to be one of the best songs on Purpose.
The chemistry between the two artists was palpable, so when they paired up again for ‘I Don’t Care,’ it was always going to be special.
#5. DJ Khaled — ‘No Brainer’ (feat. Quavo, Chance The Rapper & Justin Bieber) (2018)
‘No Brainer,’ otherwise known as ‘I’m The One: The Sequel’ is DJ Khaled’s followup to his number one Billboard hit, though it failed to reach the same dizzying heights of the first instalment.
But when it comes to Bieber there’s no mistake this is one of his best features. In fact, he ends up out-rapping both Quavo and Chance The Rapper, with his mellifluous sing-song flow.
#4. Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee — ‘Despacito’ (feat. Justin Bieber) (2017)
Managing 18-weeks at the top position on the Billboard 100 is no easy feat but a surprising collaboration between Latin pop stalwarts and Bieber created a moment that was virtually impenetrable.
#3. DJ Khaled — ‘I’m The One’ (feat. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper & Lil Wayne) (2017)
When super producer, DJ Khaled and pop’s prodigal son joined forced alongside hip-hop heavy-hitters Quavo, Chance The Rapper, and Lil Wayne it was bound for greatness.
The powdery hook is all thanks to Bieber and without him, it’s hard to imagine the song having the same irreverent charm.
#2. Jack Ü — “Where Are Ü Now” (2015)
If you ever wondered how Bieber ended up on a slew of middling dance tracks, blame Diplo and Skrillex. Or don’t, because without them we wouldn’t have ‘Where Are Ü Now.’
Whether it’s another subliminal plea to Selena Gomez or a heart-wrenching appeal to his then-thinning fanbase doesn’t matter, because this isn’t just one of the best Bieber features, it’s one of the best EDM songs, period.
#1. Travis Scott — ‘Maria I’m Drunk’ (feat. Justin Bieber and Young Thug) (2015)
A collaboration between Bieber, Young Thug, and Travis Scott, ‘Maria I’m Drunk’ became a cult hit, generating plenty of buzz before its official release in 2015. Satisfying, playful, and rich, Bieber’s frothy flow toes the line between whispery and straight-up ASMR.
Getting the Canadian singer on the track was a brave move by Travis, which was initially criticised by hip-hop fans but it paid off, making him one of hip-hop’s most agile curators.
Kish Lal is a writer and critic based in New York City. She is on Twitter.